Agricultural Exemption

About the Exemption
The State of Iowa and the Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) provides for an agricultural exemption from county zoning regulations, by stating that "no regulation or restriction shall be construed to apply to land, farmstead, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings or other buildings, structures or erections which are primarily adapted by reason of nature and area, for use for agricultural purposes, while so used."

The agricultural exemption does not apply to well or septic permitting or floodplain permitting requirements.

Application Process
In order to qualify for an agricultural exemption from any regulation contained in the Floyd County Zoning Ordinance, the applicant must fill out an online Agricultural Exemption Application and submit that to the Floyd County Planning and Zoning Department. The Zoning Administrator and/or staff of the Planning and Zoning Department will then make a determination as to whether the new building, structure, or use qualifies for the agricultural exemption within 5 business days of receiving the application.

Zoning Regulations
Although these structures and uses are exempt from county zoning regulations, including setback and minimum lot size requirements, the Floyd County Planning and Zoning Department still asks for voluntary compliance with same.